Shloka 10

Vrata-Niyama: Fasting Purity, Brahmakūrcha, Naktāhāra, and Kāla-Nirṇaya

Ritual Timing

Devanagari script

नक्षत्रदर्शनान्नक्तमनक्तं निशि भोजनम् / गोमूत्रं च पल दद्यादर्धाङ्गुष्ठं तु गोमयम्

Transliteration

nakṣatradarśanānnaktamanaktaṃ niśi bhojanam / gomūtraṃ ca pala dadyādardhāṅguṣṭhaṃ tu gomayam

Translation

Nếu đã giữ hạnh chỉ ăn sau khi thấy sao (vow nakta), thì đó mới gọi là ‘bữa ăn ban đêm’ (nakta); còn ăn đêm theo cách khác là không đúng pháp. Để sám hối, nên dâng một pala nước tiểu bò và phân bò với lượng bằng nửa ngón cái (ardhāṅguṣṭha).

Word by Word

• नक्षत्रदर्शनात्: after seeing the stars
• नक्षत्रदर्शनात्: Apadana (Source/Condition/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्रदर्शन (प्रातिपदिक: नक्षत्र + दर्शन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन (Singular)

• नक्तम्: at night
• नक्तम्: Kriya-visheshana (Temporal/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• अनक्तम्: not at night (i.e., by day)
• अनक्तम्: Kriya-visheshana (Temporal/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: निषेधपूर्वक कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb: 'not at night')

• निशि: in the night
• निशि: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• भोजनम्: food/eating
• भोजनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• गोमूत्रम्: cow urine
• गोमूत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोमूत्र (प्रातिपदिक: गो + मूत्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• पलम्: one pala (a measure)
• पलम्: Karma (Measure/Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); परिमाणवाचक (measure)

• दद्याद्: should give
• दद्याद्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• अर्धाङ्गुष्ठम्: half a thumb-measure
• अर्धाङ्गुष्ठम्: Karma (Measure/Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्धाङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक: अर्ध + अङ्गुष्ठ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); परिमाणवाचक (measure)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ (contrast/emphasis)

• गोमयम्: cow dung
• गोमयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोमय (प्रातिपदिक: गो + मय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual categories depend on intention and rule (nakta defined by star-sighting); improper timing requires prāyaścitta via specified dāna of go-mūtra and go-maya measures.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-niyama: actions are qualified by vidhi/niṣedha; errors are repaired through prescribed corrective acts, restoring sattva and social-ritual order.

Application: If observing nakta-vrata, eat only after confirming stars; if one violates the rule, perform the stated expiation by giving measured cow-urine and cow-dung (as per tradition/teacher guidance).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.128 (prāyaścitta and vrata-measurements continue in 1.128.11-12)

FAQs

What is the importance of the nakta (night-meal) rule in the Garuda Purana?

This verse distinguishes a regulated night-meal (taken only after star-sighting) from improper night-eating, framing disciplined timing as part of dharmic conduct and purity.

How does this verse connect to karma and consequences described in the Garuda Purana?

By prescribing prāyaścitta (expiation) for improper conduct, it reflects the text’s broader principle that actions create consequences, and that corrective rites can mitigate ritual and moral fault.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain discipline in food habits (timing and restraint) and, when one violates a chosen vow or ethical rule, adopt a sincere corrective practice—charity, restraint, and renewed commitment to right conduct.